Ok guys, just tested the car without the belt, and the noise is gone. Go ahead, give me the news guys.

 

they sell these stethoscopes with a metal rod on the end, go get one and figure out what is making the noise.

with any luck it's the alternator, they are cheap and easy to do, the ac pump clutch end is easy too. hopefully it's not the supercharger

 

​​​​Yup, that's the one I bought. When I turned the SC pulley I could hear the lobes revolving, didn't sound gritty or abnormal?

So I should put the belt back on and listen to each component with the car running I assume.

Side note: Looks like my car was built back in April, anyone think MINI will still hold up their end on the extended warranty for the PS Pump and fan?

Thanks guys, I love you all. If not for NAM I'd have pulled my hair out a loooong time ago.

 

that's what I would do to narrow down the sound.

Idid you get a letter? I got one for my 2005 and they just replaced the pump a couple months ago

 

+1 for getting the stethoscope

Did you feel any side to side play in any of the pulleys? They really shouldn't budge if you try to wiggle them

 

Nope, I received one for my 02 R50 but nothing on the R53. I'll call tomorrow and see... : Fingers crossed:

 

Yes, the stethoscope is a huge help!

Nope, no side to side play in any pulley. Everything seemed A ok. Except it was noted that there would be some resistance on the AC compressor, there wasn't. But yeah, I guess I'll get the belt back on and narrow it down tomorrow.

 

Oh, I see you've already bought one!

 

Technically if the car is off the ac clutch would be disengaged and the internal part where the belt rides would spin freely but the outside section that contains the clutch would have some resistance and that is the part connected to the internals of the ac compressor.

Not sure if that makes sense

let us know what you hear when you go probing!

Its a pain taking the belt on and off but it's worth it to know that the sound was definitely coming from the accessory drive instead of something internal!

 

So with that being done, testing the belts accessories, I can basically narrow it down to one of the 3? Most likely SC, possibly bad alternator bearing, or AC clutch?

FYI: When I did my SC service I filled both ports to full, didn't measure fluid, just topped it off. Is it possible that too much oil could kill a SC? I couldn't find any correct measurements online.

 

I think they changed the PS pump from an extended warranty to an actual recall so it shouldn't have a time limit. If you ran your VIN and it qualifies than you should be good to go.

 

dont forget the damper on your tensioner pulley! It can also cause rattling if it's really worn.

 

It all depends on how you topped it off...

If you had the unit sitting sideways, properly oriented, and you filled the plug(s) until they just started to overflow, then you've done it correctly.

But if you had the unit standing on end and you filled each reservoir to the very top, then plugged them up, you've added way too much and would likely have issues.

 

*****, I don't remember exactly if we tipped it up or let it sit, I do remember that 2 bottles was enough to top up both ends, I even have a small bit sitting in a bottle in the parts locker.

 

Have you resolved this noise? My 03 is making a similar noise. Hoping it as easy/cheap as a tensioner. Dreading its the supercharger.